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Myanmar:
Pumping out pills on demand
Although a number of refineries along the Myanmese border have suspended their
operations since Thailand launched its all-out war against drugs in February,
there are still several that continue to keep shops open under the patronage of
the local military commanders so as to carry out orders placed by customers in
Thailand, according to a reliable source in Myanmar's eastern Shan state.
Tachilek, opposite the Thai city of Chiang Rai, illustrates what is happening
in other Shan townships such as Monghsat, Mongton and Homong along the border,
said the source, who is a close relative of a Lahu militia chieftain. "To my
knowledge, there are three of them still [operating] here," he said. "Only they
don't do it unless there is an order first."
One is the refinery at Nampoong, west of Tachilek. Owned by Nampoong militia
leader Yishay, its security is provided by Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 359.
It is said to have three compressors: the big one turns out eight pills each
time, the medium compressor three and the small compressor one. It has been in
existence for four years.
Another at Jaka Village is located along the Mekong, north of Tachilek and
between Kenglarb and Mongphong. It is owned by Ai Tu, a Wa from Panghsang, and
has been in operation for a year and a half. Security is provided by Htun Hla,
40, son of Javi, a militia leader of Nayao, and LIB 316 stationed at Talerh.
Its products are said to have spread as far as Cambodia and Vietnam through
Laos. "The evacuation of Wa troops from the area in March did not affect their
operation," he said.
The third, owned by Maku, 35, a Lahu, and Tafah, 47, a Kokang, both leaders of
Paniang Militia force, is located at Loi Tawmaw in Monghai tract, north of
Tachilek. It has been there since February.
Asked whether they thought Myanmar would be rid of drugs by 2004 as declared,
sources in Tachilek were skeptical. "It depends on whether the Burmese military
officers can stop their extortions from us and the local people," said a
trader. "Anything they want, they demand that we give it. If we refuse, it is
forcibly taken from us. And what they've gotten out of us has merely served to
whet their appetite for more."
Myanmar has pledged to wipe out drugs by 2004 and Laos by 2005, the Bangkok
Post reported on June 21.
Wa, reputed to be the biggest drug organization in the world, has promised to
be drug-free by 2005.
SHAN is an independent Shan media group. It is not affiliated with any political
or armed organization. To subscribe to the newsletter, e-mail
shan@cm.ksc.co.th or visit
http://www.shanland.org.
(Shan Herald Agency for News)
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